American Beauty · written by Alan Ball · 1999

The Colonel bursts into Ricky’s room, punches him and demands to know how he got in.

Scene 94 of 163 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Colonel

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:01 into a 1:37 film

The story so farBefore scene 94

After becoming infatuated with his teenage daughter’s friend, a dissatisfied suburban father quits his job and pursues a more vivid life, unsettling his family and drawing him into the orbit of a troubled teenage neighbor.

Scenes 1–13
Lester is trapped in a suburban routine of corporate work and a marriage performed for appearances.
Scenes 14–31
Family estrangement and his attraction to Angela expose how urgently Lester wants to feel alive.
Scenes 32–75
Lester follows the desire into risky fantasy, exercise and open defiance of Carolyn.
Scenes 76–90
Lester quits and takes a fast-food job while Jane and Ricky begin connecting in parallel.
Just before
Scene 91
At dinner Lester announces his new job, provokes Carolyn and smashes an asparagus plate before changing their dinner music.
Scene 92
Carolyn tries to teach Jane self-reliance, then slaps her when Jane rejects the sentiment.
Scene 93
Jane waves to Ricky and begins undressing at her window as he films her.
Scene 94
This scene

94INT. FITTS HOUSE - RICKY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

We're behind Ricky as he videotapes Jane in her window. She has now removed her shirt. She stands there in her bra, then reaches behind her back to unhook the bra.

On VIDEO: We ZOOM toward her as she takes off her bra clumsily. She's obviously embarrassed, but she's gone this far and there's no turning back. She stands there with her breasts exposed, trying to look defiant, but she's achingly vulnerable...

Suddenly, the door is thrown open and the Colonel enters, incensed. Startled, Ricky turns around. As soon as his eyes meet his father's, he knows what's up.

COLONEL

You little bastard--

Ricky scrambles to dodge his father, but the Colonel is too fast; he punches Ricky in the face, knocking him to the floor.

COLONEL (CONT'D)

How did you get in there?